Planetary-gear mechanism.



L. S. CLARKE. PLANETABY GEAR MEGHANISM.

APPLIUATION rum) Huma, 1910.

la/fill EL This pinion is loosely mounted on the member (l. The housing12 has the sleeve UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS S. CLARKE, OF HAVERFORD, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE AUTOCARCOMPANY, OF ARDMORE, PENNSYLVANIA. A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

PLANETARYGEAR MECHANISIYI.

To all whom: it may concern:

lie it known that I, Lows S. CLARKE, a resident of l-Iaverford, in thecounty of Montgomery and State of Pennsylvania, have i11- vented a newand useful Improvement in Planetanv-Gear Mechanisni; and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionthereof.

My invention relates to planetary gear mechanism.

The object of my invention is to provide a planetary gear mechanism inwhich three speeds are obtained from a construction which would normallybe capable of giving onl \v two speeds, and this l accomplish by theemployment of certain clutch-medianisin, all as fully hereinafter setforth and claimed.

In the drawing, Figure 1 a longitudinal sectional view of mv improvedplanetary gear mechanism: Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2, Fig. 1,looking in the direction of the arrow; and rig. 3 is a section on theline 3 3, Fig` 2.

It is to he understood that my invention is applicable for the drivingof automobiles, or for any other uses to which it may be foundapplicable..

In the drawing, the numeral 2 designates a suitable motor, and 3 themotor-shaft. Keyed to the shaft- 3, and slidable thereon, is thefriction clutch-member 4, which is operated by the lever 5. Thisclutch-meinber 4: is adapted t0 be thrown into engagementwith theclutch-member 6, which is keyed to the sleeve portion 7 o he Jinionshaft 3. The pinion 8 meshes with the planet@ 9. which are mounted onthe shafts 10 whichconnect the housings 11 and 12. The housing 11 isadapted to rotate freely on the hub 13 of the friction clutch portion 14surrounding the shaft 3 and the shaft 15.

A pinion 16 is keyed to shaft 3 and said pinion meshes with theplanet-gears 17 on the shafts 18. The planet-gears 9 and 17 overlap andmesh with each other while the planet-gears 17 also mesh with theinternalgear member 19. This internal-gear 19 has the sleeve portion 20.

A sliding dog clutch member 21 is keyed to the shaft 15 and said clutchmember is operated by means of the lever 22. This Specification ofLetters Patent.

Application filed March 2S, 1910.

clutch dog 21 is adapted to be thrown imo engagement with the clutchmember cured to the sleeve 1l of the housing 12, or 1s adapted to bethrown into engagement with the clutch member 21 on the sleeve 2() I ofthe internal gear 19. Suitable roller bearings 25 are employed forsupporting the mechanism at the ends while the annular ball bearing 2Gis employed where the two shafts 3 and 15 come together.

The brake-bands 2T, 28. and 29 are provided for the fric-tionclutch-member (l, the housing 11 and the internal gear 19. respectively.

Then my improved planetar)- gear meehanisin is 1n operation, the threespeeds are obtained in the following manner: the first or direct speedis secured by throwing the sliding clutch member 4 into engagemexit withthe friction clutch member (3 with the sliding dog clutch member 21 inengagement. with the clutch member In this case the drive is by thefriction member through gear S and planet gears 9 and 1T by the housings11 and 12 to the clutch 23. The second speed drive obtained by holdingthe friction-member G in engagement with the brake-band 27. The drive isby the pinion 16 through the planet gears 9 and 17. The planet gears 9roll around the pinion 8 and through housings 11 and 12 to clutch 23.The third speed is obtained b v applying lthe brake-band 29 to theinternalgear l19 and the drive is through pinion 1G to planet gears 17and housings 11 and 12 to clutch 23. In this case the planet gears 17and 9 with the housings 11 and 12 roll around inside of theinternal-gear 19.

To reverse, the brake is applied to the housing 11 by the band 28, andthe clutch dog 21 is thrown into engagement with the clutch 24. Theplanetary gears 9 and 17 are stationary and the driving pinion 1Grotates planet 17 to drive internal gear 19 in reverse direction, andthrough the sleeve 20 the clutch 24.

By my invention I am enabled to obtain a three-speed planetaryr gear outof one that would normally be of two speeds only, by the employment ofthe clutches 23 and 24:. However, I do not wish to limit myself to anyparticular form of mechanism for obtaining this reverse, and in fact donot wish to limit myself in any sense to the particular mechanismillustrated, as my invention is of a broad character, and I desire toClaim it as such.

That I claim is:

l. In planetary gear mechanism, the Combination of av driving shaft, adriven shaft, a rotary housing, planet gears carried by said housing, aclutch-member, means for driving said clutch member from said drivingshaft, an internal-gear member, means for braking said housing, saidclutch-member, and said internal gear member inde pendently of eachother, means cooperating with said driving shaft for rotating saidplanet, gears, a slidable clutch-member on said drivenshaft, aclutch-member Carried by said housing adapted to be engaged by saidslidable,clutch-member, and a clutchmember carried by said internal-gearmember adapted to be engaged by said sliding clutch-member.

In planetaryY gear mechanism, the combination of a driving shaft, adriven shaft in line ivith said driving shaft, a rotary housing, planetgears carried by said housing, a clutch-member, means for driving saidclutch-member from said driving shaft, an internal-gear member, meansfor brakinlT said housing, said clutch-member, and said internal-gearmember independently of each other, means coperating with said drivingshaft for rotating said planet gears, a slidable clutch member on saiddriven shaft, a eluteh-member carried by said housing adapted to beengaged by said slidable clutch-member, and a clutch-member carried bysaid internal-gear member adapted to be engaged by said slidingclutch-member.

3. In planetary gear mechanism, the com* bination of a driving shaft, apinion loosely mounted thereon, av clutch-member carried Aby saidpinion, means for driving said clutch member from said driving shaft, a

pinion rigidly secured to said driving shaft, a housing, planet earscarried by said housing, and engagec? by said pinions, an internal gearmember, a sliding clutch-member on said driven shaft, a Clutch-membercarried by said housingadapted to be engaged by said slidingclutch-member, a clutch member on said internalgear member adapted to beengaged by said sliding clutchmember, and means for braking said firstnamed clutch-member, said housing and said internal-gear memberindependently of each other.

4. In planetary gear mechanism, the combination of a driving shaft, adriven shaft, a loosely mounted inion on said driving shaft, aclutch-mem er Carried by said pinion, means for driving said clutchmember from said driving shaft, a pinion rigidly mounted on said drivingshaft, a housing, planet gears carried by said housing, and engaged bysaid pinions, a sleeve extending from said housing and engaging saiddriven shaft, an internal gea-r member having a sleeve surrounding saidsleeve of said housing, a sliding clutch-member on said driven shaft, aclutch-member carried by the sleeve of said housing adapted to beengaged by said sliding clutch-member and a clutchmember on said sleeveof said internal gear member adapted. to be engaged by said slidingclutch and means for braking said clutch-member, said housing, and saidinter nal gear member independently of each other.

In testimony whereof, I the said LOUIS S. CLARKE have hereunto set myhand.

LOUIS S. CLARKE.

iVitnesses Rofr. WV. SIMMONS, E. W. MILLER.

